In the new parenting book Bringing Up Bébé that hit shelves early this year, author Pamela Druckerman looked at the differences between American and French parents and she found that Americans are raising spoiled brats who are picky eaters and bad sleepers. Druckerman knows this because she moved to Paris with her husband not long before getting pregnant with her first child. She quickly noticed that parenting in France was different from what she had seen in the States: The moms never feel guilty and the children are boisterous and curious, but well-behaved. less

In the new parenting book Bringing Up Bébé that hit shelves early this year, author Pamela Druckerman looked at the differences between American and French parents and she found that Americans are raising ... more

In the new parenting book Bringing Up Bébé that hit shelves early... Photo-3910619.54071 - SFGate

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Two women who bonded over hair loss started a Facebook campaign asking Mattel to manufacture a bald Barbie for girls who suffer from diseases that can lead them to go bald. After over 150,000 people joined the Facebook page Mattel announced that they would donate Bald Barbies to hospitals treating children affected by hair loss throughout the U.S. and Canada. less

Two women who bonded over hair loss started a Facebook campaign asking Mattel to manufacture a bald Barbie for girls who suffer from diseases that can lead them to go bald. After over 150,000 people joined the ... more

Two women who bonded over hair loss started a Facebook campaign... Photo-3910622.54071 - SFGate

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Likely the most-talked-about parenting story of 2012 was the provocative Time magazine breastfeeding cover featuring a mom breastfeeding her son who looks old enough to pour himself a glass of milk. The boy, just shy of 4 years old, is standing on a chair to reach the breast falling out of his mom’s tank top. The pose makes the point that this boy is too big and old to be held in his mother’s arms—but he can still breastfeed. Photos of more nursing moms appeared inside. (Time) less

Likely the most-talked-about parenting story of 2012 was the provocative Time magazine breastfeeding cover featuring a mom breastfeeding her son who looks old enough to pour himself a glass of milk. The boy, ... more

Likely the most-talked-about parenting story of 2012 was the... Photo-3910623.54071 - SFGate

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Beyoncé and Jay-Z welcomed their daughter Blue Ivy Carter into the world on January 7. After the birth, the rumors started to fly. Some speculated that the baby’s name, Blue Ivy, is proof of Jayoncé’s membership in a Satan-worshiping Illuminati cult, and if you spell the name backwards you get the Latin name of Lucifer’s daughter, Eulb Yvi. Turns out Lucifer didn’t have a daughter and these aren’t even Latin words. And no, Ivy isn’t meant to be an acronym for “Illumaniti’s Very Youngest.” (Associated Press) less

Beyoncé and Jay-Z welcomed their daughter Blue Ivy Carter into the world on January 7. After the birth, the rumors started to fly. Some speculated that the baby’s name, Blue Ivy, is proof of Jayoncé’s ... more

In January, the blogosphere praised Target for placing Ryan, a boy with Down syndrome, in an ad and not making a big deal out of it. The company didn’t send out press releases or reach out to media. Ryan’s just another one of the kids and being treated as an equal. People said this was a great example of inclusion. (Target) less

In January, the blogosphere praised Target for placing Ryan, a boy with Down syndrome, in an ad and not making a big deal out of it. The company didn’t send out press releases or reach out to media. Ryan’s ... more

When talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres announced that she was the new spokesperson for J.C. Penney, the anti-gay group OneMillionMoms.com was enraged and asked the retailer to fire her immediately. J.C. Penney stood by DeGeneres’ side. “She’s a very honest, straightforward person with extraordinary values,” JCPenney CEO Ron Johnson said on “CBS This Morning. “It’s been unbelievably wonderful to work with someone who is so kind, so gracious, so funny, who just, I think, captures what American is about.” (Associated Press) less

When talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres announced that she was the new spokesperson for J.C. Penney, the anti-gay group OneMillionMoms.com was enraged and asked the retailer to fire her immediately. J.C. Penney ... more

When talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres announced that she was the new... Photo-3910626.54071 - SFGate

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A growing number of tweens and teens, mainly girls, posted videos on YouTube asking commenters if they’re ugly. Jezebel first covered the trend and soon it was a big media story. Let's hope the coverage increased awareness among parents and this sad trend is on its way out the door. less

A growing number of tweens and teens, mainly girls, posted videos on YouTube asking commenters if they’re ugly. Jezebel first covered the trend and soon it was a big media story. Let's hope the coverage ... more

The little white whale who inspired Raffi Cavoukian to write the beloved children’s song “Baby Beluga” died in August. “A beautiful whale, a magnificent creature,” Cavoukian told Radio News 1130. “She had a profound impact on me when I met her in 1979. The folks at the [Vancouver] Aquarium brought me to poolside and the trainer helped me to play with Kavna. Kavna even came out of the water and placed a gentle, graceful kiss on my cheek and I couldn’t stop talking about it for a couple of weeks!” ((Raffi Cavoukian / Twitter)) less

The little white whale who inspired Raffi Cavoukian to write the beloved children’s song “Baby Beluga” died in August. “A beautiful whale, a magnificent creature,” Cavoukian told Radio News 1130. ... more

The images of two girls from Tacoma, Wash., who became badly sunburned after spending an afternoon outside at a school field day raised awareness about a ridiculous law in many states that forbids staff from applying or giving students sunscreen without a doctor’s note. Teachers at the girls' school weren't allowed to apply sunscreen on these girls even though the kids' skin was obviously getting fried. (Jesse Michener) less

The images of two girls from Tacoma, Wash., who became badly sunburned after spending an afternoon outside at a school field day raised awareness about a ridiculous law in many states that forbids staff from ... more

The images of two girls from Tacoma, Wash., who became badly... Photo-3910629.54071 - SFGate

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Health authorities and breastfeeding advocates led a national effort to ban hospitals from passing out formula samples to new moms. The campaign infuriated moms who prefer bottle feeding. (Kati Molin)

Health authorities and breastfeeding advocates led a national effort to ban hospitals from passing out formula samples to new moms. The campaign infuriated moms who prefer bottle feeding. (Kati Molin)

In June more than 50,000 moms and dads spread throughout the world served banana splits to their children for dinner. The dessert extravaganza was inspired by the story of Erik and Diane Roberts, parents of a 21-month-old son with Down syndrome and a heart defect. When the the Pittsburgh couple received news that nothing more could be done for Ryan, Diane posted a message on Facebook: “Go out and create a memory with your kid. Throw a banana split on the table for dinner. Wouldn’t you remember having banana splits for dinner one night when you were a kid?” (Shutterstock) less

In June more than 50,000 moms and dads spread throughout the world served banana splits to their children for dinner. The dessert extravaganza was inspired by the story of Erik and Diane Roberts, parents of a ... more

In June more than 50,000 moms and dads spread throughout the world... Photo-3910631.54071 - SFGate

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A Vimeo documentary that tells the story of a 9-year-old boy named Caine Monroy who built an arcade from cardboard boxes in his father’s used auto parts shop in East Los Angeles touched people all over the country. (Cain\\\\\\\'s Arcade) less

A Vimeo documentary that tells the story of a 9-year-old boy named Caine Monroy who built an arcade from cardboard boxes in his father’s used auto parts shop in East Los Angeles touched people all over the ... more

A Vimeo documentary that tells the story of a 9-year-old boy named... Photo-3910632.54071 - SFGate

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.54071 - SFGate

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In the provocative Atlantic article, Why Women Still Can't Have it All, Anne-Marie Slaughter wrote on how balancing motherhood and career is hard. Slaughter who once worked for Hilary Clinton as the director of policy planning for the State Department argued that it's impossible to be a high-powered exec and a mom unless you're a superhuman and blamed feminism for selling her the false promise that women can have it all--when really they can't. (The Atlantic) less

In the provocative Atlantic article, Why Women Still Can't Have it All, Anne-Marie Slaughter wrote on how balancing motherhood and career is hard. Slaughter who once worked for Hilary Clinton as the director of ... more

On June 1 at the tony Massachusetts Wellesley High School, English teacher David McCullough, Jr., told a group of privileged yet hard-working students, “You are not special. You are not exceptional.” His blunt words grabbed the attention of the nation. Some felt he was too negative, but most overwhelmingly agreed that his speech was just what this “entitled” generation needed to hear. (Wellesley TV) less

On June 1 at the tony Massachusetts Wellesley High School, English teacher David McCullough, Jr., told a group of privileged yet hard-working students, “You are not special. You are not exceptional.” His ... more

On June 1 at the tony Massachusetts Wellesley High School, English... Photo-3910634.54071 - SFGate

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Dara-Lynn Weiss attracted national media attention by forcing her obese 7-year-old daughter to lose weight and writing about it in a provocative tell-all article in Vogue. The Manhattan socialite fat-shamed Bea, humiliated her in public, and once she denied her daughter dinner because she consumed brie, filet mignon, baguette and chocolate at her school’s French Heritage Day. (Vogue) less

Dara-Lynn Weiss attracted national media attention by forcing her obese 7-year-old daughter to lose weight and writing about it in a provocative tell-all article in Vogue. The Manhattan socialite fat-shamed ... more

The New York Times broke news about the trend of pregnant women hiring professional photographers to capture the important moments during childbirth. The Times reported, Birth photographers have set up shop in recent years across the country, from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City to Cincinnati. The International Association of Professional Birth Photographers — a group started by a Texas photographer who was bombarded with inquires from women in other states seeking a birth photographer near them — now has roughly 400 members. (Valeriy Velikov) less

The New York Times broke news about the trend of pregnant women hiring professional photographers to capture the important moments during childbirth. The Times reported, Birth photographers have set up shop in ... more

The New York Times broke news about the trend of pregnant women... Photo-3910636.54071 - SFGate

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It was a bad year for Ugg boots, which were once the must-have fashion item for tweens and teens. In January a story broke about a Pennsylvania school that was banning the boots because kids were hiding their cell phones in them and texting during class. And then later this year parent company Decker announced that sales are sliding. (Ugg) less

It was a bad year for Ugg boots, which were once the must-have fashion item for tweens and teens. In January a story broke about a Pennsylvania school that was banning the boots because kids were hiding their ... more

It was a bad year for Ugg boots, which were once the must-have... Photo-3910637.54071 - SFGate

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Honey Boo Boo, the 7-year-old beauty pageant queen whose real name is Alana Thompson, became a full-blown pop culture phenomenon in 2012. Boo Boo first made a name for herself on TLC’s infamous reality show Toddlers & Tiaras and gained even more stardom by landing her own reality show, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, which looks at Alana’s off-stage life and her red neck family. (Chris Fatelli / TLC) less

Honey Boo Boo, the 7-year-old beauty pageant queen whose real name is Alana Thompson, became a full-blown pop culture phenomenon in 2012. Boo Boo first made a name for herself on TLC’s infamous reality show ... more

A Utah mom had people’s jaws dropping when she potty-trained her twins in the middle of a restaurant. Kimberly Decker was one of those restaurant patrons who was shocked when she saw the incident take place at the Thanksgiving Point Deli in Utah. Decker snapped a photo and posted it on Facebook, according to KNTX-TV. The photo went viral and appeared on television news stations across the country. (KNTX-TV) less

A Utah mom had people’s jaws dropping when she potty-trained her twins in the middle of a restaurant. Kimberly Decker was one of those restaurant patrons who was shocked when she saw the incident take place ... more

American beach volleyball champ Kerri Walsh Jennings took home a gold at the London Olympics. Her performance became even more impressive when she found out that she was five weeks pregnant with her third child when she competed. (Petr David Josek / Associated Press) less

American beach volleyball champ Kerri Walsh Jennings took home a gold at the London Olympics. Her performance became even more impressive when she found out that she was five weeks pregnant with her third child ... more

Who was the star of the first presidential debate in Denver? Big Bird! Mitt Romney said that he likes the yellow bird but would cut public funding for PBS. Some 135,000 #BigBird tweets were generated per minute during the debate. (Matt Sayles / Associated Press) less

Who was the star of the first presidential debate in Denver? Big Bird! Mitt Romney said that he likes the yellow bird but would cut public funding for PBS. Some 135,000 #BigBird tweets were generated per minute ... more

Who was the star of the first presidential debate in Denver? Big... Photo-3910641.54071 - SFGate

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When Ohio Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan announced that he purchased his 10-year-old daughter a Remington 700 .243 junior model rifle last year and planned to take her on her first hunting trip this year, supporters applauded him for exposing his daughter to the sport at a young age and posted images on Twitter of their own young daughters shooting guns. (Twitter) less

When Ohio Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan announced that he purchased his 10-year-old daughter a Remington 700 .243 junior model rifle last year and planned to take her on her first hunting trip ... more

A pregnant Chicago-area woman who was in labor stopped by the polls to place her vote in the November election on her way to the hospital. When Galicia Malone, 21, arrived at her polling place, her water had already broken and her contractions were five minutes apart. This was the first election Galicia was able to vote in and she wanted to set a good example for her soon-to-be born daughter. (Cook County Clerks Office) less

A pregnant Chicago-area woman who was in labor stopped by the polls to place her vote in the November election on her way to the hospital. When Galicia Malone, 21, arrived at her polling place, her water had ... more

A pregnant Chicago-area woman who was in labor stopped by the polls... Photo-3910643.54071 - SFGate

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Former Googler Marissa Mayer announced her new position as CEO at Yahoo in July and revealed that she was also 7 months pregnant the very same day. She instantly became the face of working moms but then she disappointed them all when she announced that she was taking a shortened maternity leave. Working moms assumed she'd changed her mind but she didn't. Mayer gave birth on September 30 and on October 31 she tweeted the pic above of her and Macallister at Yahoo's Halloween party, called Yaboo. (Twitter) less

Former Googler Marissa Mayer announced her new position as CEO at Yahoo in July and revealed that she was also 7 months pregnant the very same day. She instantly became the face of working moms but then she ... more

Former Googler Marissa Mayer announced her new position as CEO at... Photo-3910644.54071 - SFGate

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Every year the Halloween costumes get tighter, shorter and skimpier, allowing women to show off more cleavage and more leg. This year, the industry hit an all-new low with slutty Sesame Street costumes. (Yandy.com ) less

Every year the Halloween costumes get tighter, shorter and skimpier, allowing women to show off more cleavage and more leg. This year, the industry hit an all-new low with slutty Sesame Street costumes. ... more

Every year the Halloween costumes get tighter, shorter and... Photo-3910645.54071 - SFGate

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Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash resigned from “Sesame Street” amid allegations he sexually abused underage boys, bringing an end to a 28-year career in which he turned the furry red monster into one of the most beloved children's television characters, the AP reported. (Submarine Entertainment) less

Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash resigned from “Sesame Street” amid allegations he sexually abused underage boys, bringing an end to a 28-year career in which he turned the furry red monster into one of the most ... more

Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William and his wife, the former Kate Middleton, are expecting their first child and the media quickly kicked into royal baby mania. (Kirsty Wigglesworth, STF / San Antonio Express-News) less

Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William and his wife, the former Kate Middleton, are expecting their first child and the media quickly kicked into royal baby mania. (Kirsty Wigglesworth, STF / San ... more

Buckingham Palace announced that Prince William and his wife, the... Photo-3910647.54071 - SFGate